Thursday, May 27, 2010

Thunder in February...Frost in May!

Well folks I believe this folklore, wisetale, whatever you want to call it held true to it's name. Thunder in February, Frost in May. We have a couple days left of May 2010, but I seriously doubt it's going to get cold enough to bring a frost. Don't you? It's always interesting to track these things and then see if they ring true.

Until next time . . .

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Long time no blog!

Hello blogger buddies. I was just realizing today I haven't blogged in a while; and I have no excuse - except for I forgot!

Nothing really exciting going on in my world that I can think of. Just the normal routine for me. My oldest niece, Shanea, is graduating from high school this week - this is exciting. Boy how time flies. I remember when she came into our family 3 1/2 years ago; as a freshman. Don't know that my sister truly knew what she was saying yes to when she took the girls in that cold December day, but I know she wouldn't change anything for the world.


My, how Shanea has grown up. She was a 'scared rabbit' a few years back and never hardly said a word. Boy, has she changed!! Nowadays you get her going and she doesn't hush. I truly feel fortunate and blessed that I've been able to watch her grow up and mature into a fine young lady on fire for God! I remember her Freshman year being a rough one; didn't want to do her homework, but did and could have cared less about school and making anything of herself. One day during her Sophomore year I think it clicked...she was talking about college and what she wanted for her life. She is on the track to accomplishing all those things. I am very proud of her and the goals she has set. Her life is in front of her and she knows she's worth it and can do anything she puts her mind to.

Shanea has been accepted to College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, MO; she's majoring in elementary education. Seeing her work and grow at church I just know she will make a fine teacher! Congratulations Shanea Renee Smith..your auntie Lindsay loves you so much and is so very proud of you!!! God Bless you Shanea and the entire graduating Class of 2010!

Goodness, what a wild 3 1/2 years it's been. Lots of changes, happenings, tears, laughs and moments in my family. You never know what life is going to throw at you until it's a line drive right at you. You just got to be ready to catch it!



Until next time . . .

Monday, May 3, 2010

Tornadoes, Cows & Calves OH MY!

Hello Blogger world! I'll warn you in advance this is a lengthy post.

Wow...what an interesting weekend I'm coming off of. What started out as a normal Friday at 5 quickly turned into a nightmare and busy time ahead.

Friday after work my sister and I were planned to meet our parents and my sister's girls at Gainesville for the annual Lion's Club Auction. Mom was feeling tired & her foot continues to be sore from surgery so she decided to stay home. Shortly after we arrived at the high school in Gainesville we noticed the weather. Not long after we got there there were reports of tornadoes spotted, headed straight for Gainesville. Needless to say they didn't have to tell me twice to get in the locker room! After the notification of tornadoes we called mom to tell her to get in the basement. She had been working outside in the flower bed when she saw the black clouds roll in.

We kept a constant contact with mom making sure she was ok. At 6:29 pm I was on the phone with mom checking things out. The hail had just stopped and she said the air was eary & creepy..NOT GOOD! As we were talking she was looking out the windows and finally realized what she was looking at...the top of a tornado! She said there were little funnels dropping out the sky near the top of the main twister. Suddenly I get an "Oh my goodness!" from mom and 'click' to the phone. Needless to say I didn't have a calm bone in my body at that moment. I went to find dad and let him know...he wasn't calm either. I think my blood pressure was through the roof because I didn't know if mom was ok or not. Finally at 6:43 pm she was able to get back through; the power had gone out momentarily. She was safe and nothing was hurt.

Across the hollar and on the other side of the hill where mom saw the tornado on the other hand was a different story. The severity of the damage makes the rural area look like a bomb dropped and created a war zone like atmosphere. It is amazing what Mother Nature can do. There is much damage to homes and timber, BUT...all lives were spared. What could have been a terrible situation was protected. At a time when everyone was already home from work God was looking out. Most every home that had damage or was destroyed was occupied by the families living in those homes. They walked out without a scrape! This is the remarkable part of the story and the main theme that is being carried across the community.

Me and my family was unable to help Friday night as we were out of town. We tried getting the tractor to the Freeman's on Saturday but could not go further when we came upon a string of huge trees twisted and splintered by the storm. I hope to help this week anywhere I can.

Yesterday of course was church day. But, it was also cattle working day; the last of the cattle!! Dad, myself & Dee were on duty to get those mommas fly tagged & all wormed. This was the herd of cattle that our oldest cows are in. So, dad wanted to 'mouth' some of them to check if it was time for them to go to the sale barn. By 'mouth' I mean check their teeth to check age. I so wish I'd had my camera with me to take some shots of snotty cow mouths and teeth...so funny! But, I didnt' have a clean hand to hold a camera! We got the job done.

Dad was watching a cow that looked like she might calve later in the day. We put her in the corral so she'd be easy to check. Later in the evening we went back to check on her and she was in obvious pain, but not showing all the signs she was ready to calve...no water bag, no straining really. But, she definitely was in pain and wanted out of that corral. We decided to run her in the runway so we could inspect the situation. She was not dilated hardly any, but that calf needed to come out. We had to go get our light holder, Dee, and pull that baby. Again, wish I'd had my camera or video...but really wouldn't have wanted my slimy hands on my camera! Dad got the pulling chains on the feet of the calf, and away we pulled. Poor momma wasn't helping us at all. We would pull, she would pull..she should have been pushing, but she would pull back on us. My arms are like spaghetti today. Finally after several minutes we just held a steady grip and she gave us one little push. At that moment the head was released and here came the baby. The calf was HUGE...no way she could have had it on her own. Dad made the comment, "there's me a herd bull (it's a Charlois). I said, "that's a heifer!" Dad's remark, "You're kidding me!" Such a big baby calf; half grown. Not really, but it's a thooster!

Finally got in the house yesterday after 9 pm; covered in poo and mud and slimy gunk! Already tired and the week is just beginning. But, it's all worth it.

What God brings us to He will bring us through!

Have a good week everyone

Until next time . . .